Ethics in Law Enforcement: Principles and Practice

Introduction

Every individual dreams of living an ideal life filled with peace, prosperity, love, and comfort. People sometimes attain wealth without peace of mind, and others find incomparable mental solace without material wealth. Scholars such as Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates believed that a perfectly ideal life did not exist, but that a successful, peace-filled life was possible only through adherence to ethics — the moral principles that govern conduct.

In today's world, the public's peace of mind is largely dependent on their safety and the realization of their rights. Nations grant their residents freedom of speech, belief, and thought, along with the right to express opinions and practice religion. However, the modern world is filled with incidents of rights violations, terrorism, murder, deceit, and rape. It is the moral obligation of law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of all residents.

This paper examines the general code of ethics followed by criminal justice systems, the significance of such principles for law enforcement, and the effect of ethical codes on the functioning of a department.

According to Plato's ethics, all human actions have an aim or purpose, and the nobility or duplicity of that rationale determines the moral soundness of the act (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2009). Ethics is a set of moral principles that govern human behavior — values such as kindness, honesty, and compassion (dictionary.reference.com, 2012). These ethical values, which distinguish right from wrong, vary from nation to nation, culture to culture, and society to society. Tribes, families, organizations, and even individuals each maintain their own distinctive ethical rules of conduct.

Applying Plato's framework, the aim and purpose of law enforcement agencies is to maintain peace within their area of influence. Their duty is to ensure the safety of the public's property and persons. Law enforcement is a public service division; it serves the public by protecting them from oppression, violence, intimidation, and crime.

The Purpose and Importance of Law Enforcement Ethics

Adherence to ethics — honesty, dedication, and selflessness — is extremely important in a department that carries such significant responsibilities. A transparent and dedicated police department will do its best to maintain peace and order, whereas one devoid of ethics will serve only its own interests. A corrupt criminal justice system will feel no responsibility toward citizens and will be lax and careless in the performance of its duties.

Experts argue that it is necessary to have a set of principles that help officials know how to conduct themselves in dangerous or ethically compromising situations. Although some consider "ethics" too abstract a term, the truth is that every organization can identify the rules most important to its profession. Without a proper ethical framework, officers would be left with adrenaline, emotion, instinct, and personal values alone to guide their actions — and personal ethical codes frequently become sources of conflict. A single shared code ensures that decisions made by various officials are moral and proper.

Officials trained in the ethical code of their department develop stronger decision-making, analytical, and reasoning skills. Such training deepens their understanding of the justice system, fosters appreciation for the complexity of human nature, and encourages officers to deal with the public with sensitivity and compassion. It also acquaints them with the possible outcomes of their actions, cautioning them against rash behavior. Ethics are especially central to decisions involving punishment, use of force, due process, and arrest — situations in which an officer's patience and character are severely tested and impulsive action is a real risk. A prior ethical framework provides a check on such behavior (Banks, C., 2004).

As one professional code states, "Members of the Academy are especially careful to avoid incompetent, unethical, or unscrupulous use of criminal justice knowledge. They recognize the great potential for harm that is associated with the study of criminal justice, and they do not knowingly place the well-being of themselves or other people in jeopardy in their professional work." Unchecked or careless actions by law enforcement officials can endanger the lives of officers and the public alike (Ozyasar, H., 2012).

Codes of Ethics and Officer Obligations

It is standard practice for all law enforcement officials to sign a code of ethics at the time of appointment, committing to maintaining the highest standard of conduct at all times. According to the first NYPD Superintendent George Chandler, a police officer must recognize that he or she functions within prescribed boundaries, cannot impose personal moral rules, and must avoid being manipulated by others. An officer's duty is to settle grievances and provide maximum protection to the people. Law enforcement codes of ethics are also used as training tools by instructors, who instill in officers their ethical limitations and accepted behavioral standards (Kardasz, F., 2008).

The standard oath for officials includes commitments such as: officers will "develop self-restraint, and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department." Officers further promise not to "permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities, or friendships to influence my decisions," and not to shrink from "relentless prosecution of criminals." They also pledge to "enforce law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities."

According to a departmental code of ethics, officials must know their bounds and limitations and must appreciate the importance of the responsibility the public has placed on them. An officer must continually improve their knowledge of the law and seek guidance from superiors in matters beyond their current understanding. Without complete knowledge of what is expected, an officer cannot fulfill all duties properly. The officer must also be aware that laxity or disrespect toward the law is unacceptable, that their conduct must reflect well on the department, and that they must not accept gifts or favors from individuals.

Conclusion

Law enforcement organizations need to establish stricter ethical codes, place strong emphasis on their enforcement, and ensure that all officials are held accountable for violating their moral duties. Ethical frameworks are not abstract luxuries — they are essential structures that protect the public, preserve officer integrity, and sustain confidence in the justice system as a whole (Fitch, B. D., 2011).

References

Banks, C. (2004). The importance of ethics in criminal justice. Retrieved 25 June, 2012, from http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/4031_Banks_Chapter_1_Proof.pdf

Ethics. (n.d.). Dictionary.reference.com. Retrieved 25 June, 2012, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ethics

Fitch, B. D. (2011). FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin: Focus on ethics. Retrieved 25 June, 2012, from http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/law-enforcement-bulletin/october-2011/focus-on-ethics

Kardasz, F. (2008). Ethics training for law enforcement: Law enforcement codes of ethics as training tools. Retrieved 25 June, 2012, from

Ozyasar, H. (2012). Why ethics are important in criminal justice. Retrieved 25 June, 2012, from

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (2009). Plato's ethics: Overview. Retrieved 25 June, 2012, from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/plato-ethics/